A PLAN to convert a Gorey Pier shop into a café with five apartments above causes ‘significant heritage concerns’, the government’s historic-environment officer has said.
As part of an official objection to the plans for the Boutique, Tracey Ingle highlights concerns with the proposed development’s proximity to the nearby grade-one listed Mont Orgueil and the pier as well as planned modern additions to the grade-four listed store.
The comments were attached to the planning application for the site, which was once known as the Old Sail Loft.
Mrs Ingle said: ‘Whilst the aspiration to maximise the use of the site is understood, the infilling with large glaze façades to the south with external access stairs, large unrelieved upper façades… is not an enhancement to the setting of Mont Orgueil Castle.’
She added that the site also appears to encroach into the listed area of the castle.
‘If this is the case then archaeological assessments should inform the addition of any new northern retaining walls. Sadly there are no existing cross-sections [plans] in the application to confirm this is the case,’ Ms Ingle said.
She added: ‘Whilst supportive of approaches to reuse this site, the scale and impact of the proposed development on the wider setting of Mont Orgueil, Gorey Pier and the adjacent listed buildings, and the lack of heritage and archaeological assessments especially – as the site is partially in the extent of listing of the castle – causes significant heritage concerns. As such the Historic Environment Team are not able to support the application in its current form.’
It is not the first time plans have been submitted for the Old Sail Loft site.
In 2014, a planning application was lodged for a new restaurant and bakery on the site.
The scheme attracted a significant number of public comments with 350 objecting to the idea and 25 in favour.
The majority of objections related to concerns a new restaurant could have on parking in the area. Others thought that there were already enough restaurants in Gorey.
